Most Americans are only vaguely aware of
turmeric as an ingredient in Indian curry. We certainly don't think
of it as a healing herb. Indians do, however.

A great deal of scientific research --
almost all of it Indian -- shows that turmeric aids digestion,
prevents ulcers, protects the liver, helps prevent heart disease and
may one day be used to treat cancer.

A relative of ginger, turmeric has held a
place of honor in India's traditional Ayurvedic medicine for
thousands of years. It was used as a digestive aid and treatment for
fever, wounds, infections, dysentery, arthritis, jaundice and other
liver problems. The Chinese adopted turmeric and used it similarly.

"Turmeric stimulates the flow of bile,"
says Pi-Kwang Tsung, Ph.D., former assistant professor of pathology
at the University of Connecticut Medical School in Farmington and
currently editor of The East-West Medical Digest. "This means it
helps digest fats, confirming its traditional use as a digestive
herb."

"Turmeric has strong liver-protective
properties," agrees Bernie Olin, Pharm.D., editor of The Lawrence
Review of Natural Products, a St. Louis-based newsletter that
summarizes scientific research on medicinal herbs. If you drink
alcohol regularly and/or take high doses of many pharmaceutical drugs
-- including the common pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol) --
medical researchers say you may be at risk for liver damage. Using
turmeric may offer a degree of protection.

The latest studies show that turmeric
also protects the stomach lining and helps prevent ulcers, says Alan
R. Gaby, M.D., a Baltimore physician who practices nutritional and
natural medicine and is president of the American Holistic Medical
Association."Turmeric's anti-ulcer effect should be cause for
celebration among curry lovers with Type-A personalities, like
myself."

And several studies show that curcumin,
an active chemicalin turmeric, has anti-inflammatory action, lending
credence to the herb's traditional use in treating arthritis.

"Turmeric's anti-ulcer effect should be
cause for celebration among curry lovers with Type-A personalities,
like myself." And several studies show that curcumin, an active
chemical in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory action, lending credence
to the herb's traditional use in treating arthritis.

Like most culinary herbs, turmeric helps
retard food spoilage because it has antibacterial action. In
laboratory tests, turmeric also fights protozoa-microbes that cause a
multitude of human ills. These tests lend credence to the herb's
traditional use in treating dysentery, which is caused by this type
of microorganism.

Powerful protection Several medical
studies now suggest that turmeric may also help prevent heart disease
by lowering cholesterol and preventing the formation of the internal
blood clots that trigger heart attack (and many strokes). These
findings come from studies done with laboratory animals and cannot
necessarily be applied to people. But turmeric is a tasty spice that
does no harm, and these studies suggest it might do some real good.

After a while, you begin to wonder if
there's anything turmeric can't do. Sure enough, it even has
potential as a cancer fighter. Several studies on laboratory animals
show that curcumin has anti-cancer activity, probably because it is a
powerful antioxidant. (Antioxidants are substances that counteract
naturally occurring toxic substances called free radicals.)

Evidence from a recent study, a human
trial in smokers, makes this herb look even more beneficial. Smokers'
urine contains substances (mutagens) that cause genetic mutation.
Mutagens are often carcinogens, or cancer causers. Indian researchers
added 1.5 grams of turmeric a day (about a teaspoon) to the diet of
16 smokers for a month. The result was a significant reduction in
urinary mutagens.

Giving turmeric a try Since Indian
research shows that even a teaspoon of turmeric has medicinal value,
it makes a lot of sense to enjoy turmeric as the Indians do -- as a
seasoning in foods.

Turmeric tastes pleasant, but in large
amounts it becomes somewhat bitter. If you'd prefer to make a
medicinal drink to aid digestion and possibly help prevent heart
disease, use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk.
Drink up to three cups a day. Unusually large amounts of turmeric may
cause stomach upset. If you find the drink doesn't agree with you,
discontinue use.

Ulcers, arthritis, liver disease, heart disease and
cancer all require professional treatment. If you'd like to use turmeric in
addition to standard therapies, discuss it with your doctor. Medicinal turmeric
preparations should not be given to children under 2. For older children and
people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if
necessary.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure or prevent any disease.

Disclaimer: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION
and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate.
No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal
treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the
standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these
plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals
who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals.
One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past,
but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective
for the problems to which they were applied.

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